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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSecondary Suite Guide - Existing Secondary Suite Guide (Existing) ( Requirements to legalize a suite constructed without permits Page 1 of 2 City of Maple Ridge Revised 2015-10-14 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-467-7311 Fax: 604-467-7461 Inspection Requests: inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca Web Site: www.mapleridge.ca Inquiries at: permits@mapleridge.ca Meaning: An existing secondary suite means a basement or lower floor area that was converted or completed to a finished state without the benefit of permits. Further, this area has had the installation of cooking facilities as defined under the Maple Ridge Zoning Bylaw – and is being rented to a third party. Step 1: The following are minimum criteria that must be met before consideration can be given to authorize the installation of a secondary suite:  If the property is located within a designated floodplain (to be verified at city hall), a suite is not permitted,  If the property is zoned CD-3-98, R-2, R-3, RM, RST, suites are not permitted,  If there is a “No Suite” covenant on your property, this covenant will have to be removed, o This is done through a notary or lawyer  Only one secondary suite will be permitted in a single family home,  The suite must be a minimum of 37m2 and a maximum of 90m2 in size (398.3ft2 - 968.75ft2),  The suite must be less than 40% of habitable floor space of the entire building as per Section 9.37 of the current BC Building Code,  A parking space measuring 2.8m wide x 5.5m long must be provided on the lot for the secondary suite in addition to the two parking spaces required for the house (tandem parking is permitted),  A secondary suite will not be permitted if there is already a Temporary Residential Unit (relative/nanny), accessory boarding use, or Detached Garden Suite on the property, and  The property owner must live in either the main part of the house or in the secondary suite. NOTE: If the above criteria are not met then the suite will need to be decommissioned. Step 2: If the above criteria are met, the following will need to be provided as part of the process to legalize the suite:  A “Special Inspection” application is to be completed to begin the suite registration process. This application is to be accompanied by a floor plan showing the proposed layout and site plan showing the parking space. o A site inspection will be conducted as part of this application to determine what will be required to bring the space into compliance with all applicable codes regulating construction and installation of a suite. o After the inspection, a letter will be mailed to the registered owner(s) advising what upgrades, if any are required in order to bring the suite into compliance. NOTE: The suite must comply with the current BC Building Code requirements for secondary suites and all required permits must be obtained and finaled. PLEASE TURN PAGE OVER  "This information is provided for convenience only and is not a substitution of applicable City Bylaws, Provincial or Federal Codes or Laws. You must satisfy yourself that any existing or proposed construction or other works complies with such Bylaws, Codes or other laws." Secondary Suite Guide (Existing) ( Requirements to legalize a suite constructed without permits Page 2 of 2 City of Maple Ridge Revised 2015-10-14 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-467-7311 Fax: 604-467-7461 Inspection Requests: inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca Web Site: www.mapleridge.ca Inquiries at: permits@mapleridge.ca Step 3:  Once the inspection has been completed the following will be required to complete the legalizing of the secondary suite: o A building permit is required; you must apply for this and provide two sets of complete drawings for the suite. See “Basement Finish Permit Application Guide” for requirements, o An electrical permit will be required for the installation of the second range, for the verification of the electrical installations compliance to the Canadian electrical code and to correct any issues of non- compliance, This permit can only be taken out by a certified electrical contractor licensed to work in the City of Maple Ridge. o If plumbing, sprinkler or gas permits are required, these must be obtained by certified contractors licensed to work in The City of Maple Ridge, o Inspection Services will perform a series of inspections once these permits are issued. o Housing agreement to be registered on title (see * below), and o Once all the inspections have been completed and finalized and the covenant registered on title, the secondary suite may be occupied.  Provincial “Sewerage Regulation” compliance must be obtained for a secondary suite that is being constructed on a lot that is not on Municipal sanitary sewer. Compliance is to be verified by an “authorized person” acceptable to the City (e.g. civil engineer or registered on-site waste water practitioner). This compliance form must be submitted at the time of permit application. * The Housing Agreement covenant must be registered with the Land Title Office. Contact a Development Services Technician in the Inspection Services Department (604-467-7311) to obtain a sample covenant that may be taken to a lawyer or notary for execution. Note: The "Housing Agreement Covenant" is registered against the property, not the owner and will remain registered against the property until such time as the owner of the property has the covenant removed. The following documents will provide the necessary information to apply for a building permit for a secondary suite:  Owners Acknowledgement of Responsibility – Simple Buildings,  Letter of Authorization – General,  Basement Finish sample drawing,  Basement Finish Permit Application and  Secondary Suite Code Booklet Schedule of Fees:  Special Inspection application fee of $250.00,  Permit fees vary depending on the work being done (these costs are over and above the $250.00 special inspection fee). The exact fees will not be known until the permits are ready to be issued, and  Double water and sewer charges apply annually (not applicable if on septic and/or well). "This information is provided for convenience only and is not a substitution of applicable City Bylaws, Provincial or Federal Codes or Laws. You must satisfy yourself that any existing or proposed construction or other works complies with such Bylaws, Codes or other laws."